Saturday, August 20, 2016

A Frog and a Toad

Tried to come up with some critters for today's post, but all I have recently is photos of an American Toad, Bufo americanus, and a Spring Peeper, Pseudacris crucifer.  Both of them came right up on our deck (and one on the table) to say hello!

The toad was out there on a rainy day, just sitting in the rain quite close to the house.  It certainly didn't hurry away from me though I had to tip toe along the side of the deck to stay under the eave to get the pictures.

A bit of a side view lets you see the ear just behind the eye, and the somewhat yellowy throat.

There are clear 'warts' on the back, but contrary to the old wives' tale, handling them doesn't give you warts.  Both of these are ampibians, along with all the rest of the Salamanders, Frogs and Toads, having eggs with no shells that are laid in ponds in the spring.

The Spring Peeper was truly tiny.  You don't think of them up on a dry deck in the sun, but once they spend spring in the pond breeding and echoing their loud distinctive call, they do disperse to live in leaf litter in the woods until the following year.

Close up, the eyes are so similar in colour to the nearby skin that it's hard to make them out.  I feared in would be hurt jumping the 2.5 feet down from the table, and have no idea how it would get up on the table!  Spring Peepers are one of those frogs that can actually survive some of the fluids in their body freezing, one of the first you here in April here, when there is probably still some ice in the pond.

The diagnostic 'X' on the back was very clear on this tiny frog.  Some descriptions of this frog do label it a tree frog and suggest it can climb, so perhaps it climbed up the glass on our deck railing and jumped to the table!  Still a very long jump for a creature only a bit more than an inch long.

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23 comments:

  1. I really do like frogs & toads and these are both quite cute!

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  2. Absolutely excellent photos, Stewart.

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  3. Spring peepers actually have structures similar to suction cups on their toes, so yes it could have easily climbed up on the table.

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  4. That's one grumpy looking toad! And a cute little spring peeper. :-)

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  5. I have so many toads and leopard frogs around my yard this week I'm afraid to cut the grass.

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  6. love them both. i think toads are adorable.

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  7. Great photos - it was so nice of them to pose.

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  8. Great little guys! I even like their latin names.

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  9. Hello, I love both the toad and the frog. They are cute. Great captures and closeups. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Sunday, enjoy your new week!

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  10. They are interesting critters, nice pics.

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  11. A couple of entertaining guests! I like the warty toad. Did the peeper sing a little chorus for you?

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  12. The first photo of the toad made me grin.I have one living on my deck as well.Well,he is on & off....I love them & the little peeper.phyllis

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  13. That toad has character! Nice pics of both.

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  14. How nice that they hopped up there to get their picture taken. : )
    Great shots!!

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  15. Are you familiar with the children's book "Frog and Toad are Friends"? Seems to be fitting for your post. - Margy

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  16. I love your amphibian critters. Er hsve teeny tiny bright green frogs that I have always called tree frogs. I wonder?
    MB

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  17. I love your froggies/toad. I haven't see any on this property. Not sure why!
    cheers

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  18. Love toads. I've never actually seen a peeper but I sure as heck here them here in spring.

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  19. Oh, yes, they can be very good climbers.

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  20. The Spring Peeper is the prize - often heard but seldom photographed.

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  21. Really fabulous photographs of your amphibian friends - thanks for sharing them!

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